Hindawi International Journal of Forestry Research Volume 2021, Article ID 8856988, 11 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8856988

Research Article Forest Resource Use Pattern in Fringe Villages of Barsey Sanctuary and Singalila National Park of Khangchendzonga Landscape,

Santosh K. Chettri ,1,2 Ghanashyam Sharma,1 Kailash S. Gaira,2 Aseesh Pandey ,2 Rajesh Joshi,2 Nakul Chettri,3 and Bharat Kumar Pradhan4

1 e Mountain Institute (TMI)–India, Tadong, , , India 2G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Sikkim Regional Centre, Pangthang, Sikkim, India 3International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu, 4Sikkim State Biodiversity Board, Forest Environment and Wildlife Management Department, Deorali, Gangtok, Sikkim, India

Correspondence should be addressed to Santosh K. Chettri; basnett66@rediffmail.com and Aseesh Pandey; [email protected]

Received 15 September 2020; Revised 27 December 2020; Accepted 28 December 2020; Published 11 February 2021

Academic Editor: Daniel M. Kashian

Copyright © 2021 Santosh K. Chettri et al. *is is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Forests in the Barsey-Singalila transboundary area under Khangchendzonga landscape (KL) are facing pressures of resource uses. Despite continuous utilizations, complete data are lacking from the ground level. Socioeconomic, demographic, and forest use data were obtained by interviewing 233 households across two study locations. Forest product market survey was undertaken to determine prices of forest products. Resource dependence index was (0.60) high for both the locations. Alnus nepalensis is highly preferred fuel species with probability of use (0.791), and Rhododendron arboreum with probability of use (0.09) is considered as least preferred species. Relatively bigger village with more population is aggravating utilization pressures. Resource use at Gorkhey-Samanden is low (20% in case of fuelwood) as compared to the use at Ribdi-Bhareng (80% for fuelwood). Only preferred medicinal plants or wild edibles, namely, Yushania maling are collected regardless of their availability for fuelwood and other uses, which is causing more pressure on a small group of plants. A huge shortfall between resource demand and production indicates the possible extraction of resources from surrounding reserve forests. *e results provide significant information on peoples dependency on forest resources and may be utilized for developing forest conservation policies for enhanced ecosystem services and livelihoods in the region.

1. Introduction While in rural India, nearly 275 million people are di- rectly dependent on forests for sustaining their livelihood Forest is an essential component of various ecosystem services. [6]. Forest and people are inextricably linked in India, and Local people depend on forest resources for various products around 350–400 million (40%) people are dependent on such as fuel wood, construction materials, medicine, and food forest resources [7]. About 70% of Indian population lives in [1]. Globally, it is estimated that between 1.1 billion and 1.7 rural areas, and most of them have either agriculture or billion people depend to varying degrees on forests for their forest-based economy [8]. *eir dependency on the forest livelihoods, and about 200 million indigenous communities are resource is still high due to easy access, simple use, and lack almost fully dependent on forests [2]. It is estimated that of economically viable options [9]. Demand and con- 20–25% of rural peoples’ income is obtained from environ- sumption of fuelwood is not increasing over last decades as mental resources in developing countries [3] and act as safety compared to the rate estimated earlier in 1980s, and it is still nets in periods of crisis or during seasonal food shortages [4, 5]. valid in rural areas [10]. *e underutilized wild edible 2 International Journal of Forestry Research bioresources can play a significant role in rural development, (Figure 1). It is bestowed with rich biodiversity providing a poverty alleviation, livelihood enhancement, and nutritional wide range of ecosystem services and hence bears local security of local communities through bioprospecting with significance. *e village covers an area of 36 hectares. *ere application of suitable scientific interventions [11–14]. are 65 households in the village with a total population of Barsey-Singalila transboundary area within Khang- 205 persons comprising of Sherpa, Rai, Chettri, and Tamang chendzonga landscape (KL) houses unique ethnic and social communities. Male literacy rate of the village is 64%; groups with rich traditional knowledge on bioresource whereas, female literacy rate is 52%. Agriculture, livestock, utilization [15]. Over the years, human pressure is exerted and tourism are major livelihood options of the community. upon this transborder area for collection of basic subsistence Potato, maize, oat (barley), bean, rayosaag (green leafy materials, viz., fuelwood, fodder, construction timber, and vegetable), pea, cabbage, radish, and squash are common nontimber forest produces (NTFPs). *e dwelling com- crops found. Apart from these, yacon (Smallanthus son- munity in the region employs different farming and livestock chifolius) is recently introduced speciesunder KL practices and also depends on forest resources for regular programme. income generation. Hence, a comprehensive information on Ribdi-Bhareng, West Sikkim, is a Gram Panchayat Unit resource utilization patterns is required across state’s border (GPU) with a total area of 543 hectares. *ere are 324 of KL. Also, to assess environmental impacts posed upon households in the GPU with total population of 1536 per- from the intervention is greatly sensed. *erefore, we sons. Sherpa, Rai, Chettri, Tamang, and Gurung are the main planned to assess indigenous resource use patterns and dwelling communities. Male literacy rate of Ribdi-Bhareng is people’s dependency on bioresource needs. *e study 60% and female 50%. Agriculture and livestock rearing are principally highlights on the resource availability, their use major occupations of the people in Ribdi-Bhareng. Potato, patterns, demand, and people’s dependency on natural re- maize, oat (barley), bean, rayosaag, pea, buckwheat, cabbage, sources, for setting conservation priorities and livelihood cauliflower, radish, squash, and large cardamom are staple security as apparent from the assessment. crops cultivated, and are also kept for diary purposes.

2. Materials and Methods 2.2. Methods 2.1. Study Sites. Singalila National Park (SNP) having 78.6 km2 area is located on the at an altitude 2.2.1. Survey and Sampling. *e socioeconomic survey of of 7000 m asl, in the district of . It is the households using semistructured questionnaire formats famous for trekking route to that runs through it. was carried out. A total of 233 households were surveyed *e park was previously declared a wildlife sanctuary in from Gorkhey-Samanden (as site-A, 60 hh) and Ribdi- 1986. *e region had long been used as the trekking route Bhareng (as site-B, 173 hh). *e data were collected through from Manebhanjang to Sandakphu (the highest peak of West stratified random sampling [16] to select households in the Bengal and ). *e trek along the Singalila Ridge to sample villages to collect primary socioeconomic data on Sandakphu and Phalut is one of the most popular ones in the types of forest resource consumption, source, frequency, Eastern Himalaya, due to the grand vistas of the Khang- resource demand, and farm production. *e forest product chendzonga range, and the Everest range which can be seen market survey was undertaken to determine prices of forest from the ridge and also for the seasonal wildflower blooms products. In addition, the PRA (including focus group and birding. discussions) survey was conducted. In the process, key Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary (BRS) covers an area of stakeholders/informants, members of the farming com- 104 km2, established in 2004 in the Singalila Ridge in western munity, ecotourism committee members, government em- Sikkim. It borders on Nepal to the west and on the state of ployees, and the panchayat representatives were involved. West Bengal to the south across the Rambong Khola stream. Preferred fodder species were also documented from the *ere are three points of entry to this sanctuary from Hilley, households. Households were asked about the fuelwood, Dentam, and Soreng. Tourists generally prefer Hilley, since it fodder, and other non-timber forest product collection and is approachable by road too. *e bridle path from Hilley to quantity of biomass that they extracted annually from the Barsey is a favorite amongst tourists especially during the forest. Two individuals per household per day were found Rhododendron flowering season. *e faunal value of BRS involved in collection of fuel. Weighed the head loads (bhari) includes cat, Himalayan Yellow throated Marten, for fuelwood at the entry and exit points of the forest Himalayan Palm Civet, and many diverse species of birds. boundary during November–March approximately for 150 Two villages were selected for the present study from the days. Forty bharis were sampled in each village during each Barsey-Singalila transboundary area, namely, Ribdi-Bhareng investigation. Collected amount of each species segregated surrounding the BRS (Sikkim) and Gorkhey-Samanden out of each bundle based on local names and then weighed (, West Bengal) surrounding the SNP using a spring balance [17]. Living samples (twig containing (Table 1). leaf and flowers) of each species were locally identified and Gorkhey-Samanden, a forest village located at an altitude were later identified scientifically. To measure fuelwood of 2286 m asl, is the remotest village situated in the close utilization, actual number of hours burnt by a species was proximity to the SNP (Darjeeling) in the north and BRS divided by the total number of hours that the fuel could have (Sikkim) in the east connected by an interstate border burnt [17]. Additional information were collected using field International Journal of Forestry Research 3

Table 1: Detail of the study sites. Total no. of Total Population involved for No. of fuelwood species Study area Latitude and longitude households population collection available 27°9′32.14″–27°11′00.77″N 324 1536 1396 32 Ribdi Bhareng 88°4′37.29″–88°07′11.95″E Gorkhey- 27°10′39.26″–27°11′25.83″N 65 205 178 31 Samanden 88°04′02.24″–88°04′29.09″E

N

0 0.5 1 2 3 4 Km Figure 1: Map of the study area showing the location of study villages in Khangchendzonga landscape, India. observations and transect walks. Information on price of 2.2.2. Data Analysis. different NTFPs/wild edibles and medicinal plants were collected through the market survey. *e collected data on fuelwood were analysed following [17, 18].

− 1 − 1 − 1 Total species collected household day Cd � � number of individuals househosld responsible for collection (1) &9; ×average collection(A)

� FiPi or Probability of use (PU) � , (3) � Pi T th A � , (2) where Fi is the frequency of collection of a species in the i N th site, and Pi is the population of the i site. where T is the total species collected in all samples, and N is the number of samples.

Resource use index (RUI) � total species collection household− 1year− 1 × PU. (4)

Fuelwood consumption among the sites was determined where C is the amount of fuel collected common in sites (A using Sorenson’s similarity index [19]: and B); A is the collection of fuel in site A, and B is the 2C collection of fuel in site B. Shortfall in resource needs and Similarity index (SI) � × 100, (5) possible extraction are determined on the basis of the in- A + B formation collected. 4 International Journal of Forestry Research

3. Results Don (241.5 sample−1·year−1). Probability of use (PU) is maximum for Arundo donax (0.813) followed by Alnus 3.1. Resource Availability Status and People’s Dependency. nepalensis (0.791), Dendrocalamus hamiltonii (0.745), and With the aim of collecting data on resource base for villages, Castanopsis tribuloides (0.7) and least in Rhododendron we carried out the seasonal study on resource extraction and arboreum (0.09). utilization patterns. Results of the studied parameters Resource extraction processes were studied for fuel, fodder, depicted that fuelwood, fodder, timber, wild edibles, me- timber, NTFPs/wild edibles, litter, and crop (Table 4). Our dicinal plants, and litter are the most common forest re- survey revealed that per year fuelwood consumption at Ribdi- sources for Ribdi-Bhareng and Gorkhey-Samanden Bhareng is (7409.5 kk·hh−1), fodder (6570 kk·hh−1), and NTFPs households (Table 2). Regardless of availability status, source (146 kg·hh−1) and Gorkhey-Samanden fuelwood is of resource would be preferentially private forests (as rural (7300 kk·hh−1), fodder (5475 kg·hh−1), and NTFPs people claim), reserved forest, national parks, and wildlife (182.5 kg·hh−1). Resource demand is compared with the re- sanctuaries. We evidenced colloquial activities of tourism source production as shown in Table 5. Demand of fuelwood practices, forest collections, and grazing from the sites. (2393.27 ton·yr−1) and fodder (2122.11 ton·yr−1) at Ribdi- People have to travel atleast 2–5 kilometers distances ev- Bhareng was comparatively more than what is recorded from eryday to extract the resource. Wherein, the dependency Gorkhey-Samanden (fuelwood 445.3 ton·yr−1 and fodder index of studied sites was determined within 0.60. 333.98 ton·yr−1). Considering the fact that wood biomass is *e fuelwood consumption at Ribdi-Bhareng was required for construction purposes such as house and goths/ recorded slightly higher than Gorkhey-Samanden by 1.5%; cowshed, such is evident from timber requirement at Ribdi- farmland production of fuelwood at Ribdi-Bhareng was Bhareng (2422.5 cft/yr) and also production (64.6 cft/yr) thereby more than private land fuelwood growth at Gorkhey- leading to shortfall amount (2357.9 cft/yr). Fuelwood demand in Samanden by 80%. *is may be due to higher fraction of Gorkhey-Samanden was (445.3 ton·yr−1), whereas production landholdings possessed by the house of Ribdi-Bhareng. *e was (0.12 ton·yr−1). As per the primary survey of the vil- total number of households at Ribdi-Bhareng is 324 and lages, the fuel consumption was 418.86 ton, and the annual Gorkhey-Samanden is 65. Likewise, fodder consumption fuel availability was estimated as 211.03 ton, which indi- rate was more at Ribdi-Bhareng (17%) than fodder con- cates a deficit of 207.83 ton. Per family fuel consumption sumption at Gorkhey-Samanden, and in a similar way, the was found 52.53 kg which varies seasonally (summer, farm fodder production rate at Gorkhey-Samanden was 17.28 kg and winter, 35.25 kg). lower than Ribdi-Bhareng (58.3%). Timber required at Gorkhey-Samanden was found 6 cubic cm·hh−1 yr−1 which is much higher than the estimated 3.3. Fodder Use. Farm animals in Barsey-Singalila are production of 0.1 cubic cm hh−1 y−1. Similarly, timber de- rearing by two means stall feeding and open grazing. mand in Ribdi-Bhareng was recorded 7.5 cubic cm Open grazing in forest sites has been banned in Sikkim hh−1·yr−1, and the production was 0.2 cubic cm·hh−1·yr−1. under state’s revised grazing policy, 2005 (remained On the other hand, litter use at both Gorkhey-Samanden and effective from 2010), although illegal grazing inside Ribdi-Bhareng villages was found 10 kg·hh−1·d−1 and forests occur. But the animal percentage meant for stall 12 kg·hh−1·d−1, respectively. Similarly, production amount feeding is more (80%). While studying the fodder was found 7 kg·hh−1·yr−1 for both the villages. NTFP/wild preferences, 8 most preferred species, 12 preferred edibles demand at Gorkhey-Samanden was 0.5 kg·hh−1·d−1 species, and 6 least preferred species were found for both and Ribdi-Bhareng 0.4 kg·hh−1·d−1; whereas, production was Ribdi-Bhareng and Gorkhey-Samanden villages found half of the amount, i.e., 0.25 kg·hh−1·d−1 for both the (Table 6). above villages. Across the study sites, food stuffs (ration) −1 −1 required were estimated 12 kg·hh ·month for a family 3.4. NTFP Use. Varying degrees of NTFP use (as high, having 6 members in each. Per capita crop production was −1 medium, and low) and availability status (abundant, mod- estimated 3 kg·month for a family. erate, and rare) were noted. People’s dependency (high, medium, and low) and market prices of various wild edibles, NTFPs, and medicinal herbs were studied as shown in 3.2. Fuelwood Collection, Probability of Use (PU), and Re- Table 7. It is observed that Diplazium sp. is priced to a low of source Use Index (RUI). Habit and mean collection (kg −1 −1 −1 −1 only Rs. 10/bundle, and Nardostachys jatamansi fetched the sample ·day and kg sample ·yr ) for common fuelwood highest price of Rs.300. Some of the medicinal plants species species are presented in Table 3. Most species used for fuel are available seasonally/annually either in community for- are regarded as tree species. Mean collection for Arundo −1 −1 ests (CF), reserve forest (RF), protected forests (PF), khasmal donax (1.68 kg·sample ·day ) is found to be the most forest (KF), and agroforests (AF) as presented in Table 8. collected species followed by Quercus lamellosa (1.62 kg·sample−1·day−1) and least for Tsuga dumosa and − − 4. Discussion Ankhle (0.11 kg·sample 1·day 1). For yearly extrapolation, −1 −1 Aundo donax (252 kg·sample ·year ) showed the most *e forests preserve the biological diversity as well as provide collected species followed by Quercus lamellosa Sm. the natural wealth to the human being. But forests are still −1 −1 (243 kg·sample ·year ) and the least to Alnus nepalensis D. degrading day by day due to exponential population growth, International Journal of Forestry Research 5

Table 2: Different sources, availability status, and people’s dependency on local resources found in Barsey-Singalila site. Availability Availability Dependence Settlements Resource types Source status distance (km) index (∗DI) Firewood, fodder, wood/poles Wildlife sanctuary, reserved Ribdi Bhareng (fencing), NTFPs, medicinal forests, khasmal forests, and Medium 2–4 0.60 herbs, and litter private forests Firewood, fodder, wood/poles, Gorkhey- National park, reserved forests, NTFPs and medicinal herbs, and Low 2–5 0.60 Samanden and khasmal forests litter ∗Dependence index (DI) is calculated on a scale of 0-1.

Table 3: Amount of collection probability of use (PU) and resource use index (RUI) for important fuelwood species in Barsey-Singalila. Collection (mean)

Species (local name) Habit − − − − Probability of use Resource use index Kg·sample 1·d 1 Kg·sample 1·yr 1 (PU) (RUI) Alnus nepalensis D.Don (Uttis) T 1.61 241.5 0.791 189.8 Beilschmiedia roxburghiana Nees (Tarsing) T 0.19 28.5 0.339 81.3 Betula cylindrostachys Wall. ex Diels (Saur) T 0.45 67.5 0.632 151.6 Castanopsis indica (Roxb. ex Lindl.) A.DC. T 1.44 216 0.678 162.7 (Dhalne Katus) Castanopsis tribuloides (Sm.) A. DC. (Musurey T 1.33 199.5 0.7 168 Katus) Chukrasia tabularis A.Juss. (Bogipoma) T 1.21 181.5 0.271 65.0 Cryptomeria japonica (*unb. ex L.f.) D.Don T 0.25 37.5 0.293 70.3 (Dhuppi) Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees & Arn. ex T 1.23 184.5 0.745 178.8 Munro (Bans) Edgeworthia gardneri (Wall.) Meisn. (Argeli) S 0.57 85.5 0.542 130.0 Engelhardtia spicata Lechen ex Blume (Mauwa) T 0.45 67.5 0.587 140.8 Eurya acuminata DC. (Zhingane) T 0.85 127.5 0.519 124.5 Leucosceptrum canum Sm. (Ghurpis) T 0.62 93 0.565 135.6 Lithocarpus pachyphyllus (Kurz) Rehder T 0.12 18 0.18 43.2 Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall.) Drude (Angaree) T 0.43 64.5 0.203 48.7 Macaranga indica Wight (Malata) T 0.66 99 0.361 86.6 Macaranga denticulata (Blume) M¨ull.Arg. T 0.13 19.5 0.384 92.1 (Sanomalata) Machilus edulis King ex Hook.f. (Rani Kawlo) T 0.31 46.5 0.406 97.4 Maesa chisia Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don (Bilaune) T 0.24 36 0.406 97.4 Nyssa javanica (Blume) Wangerin T 0.14 21 0.293 70.3 (Lekhchilaune) Prunus cerasoides Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don T 0.54 81 0.497 119.2 (Paiyun) Lithocarpus fenestratus (Roxb.) Rehder T 0.59 88.5 0.18 43.2 (Arkahulo) Quercus lamellosa Sm. (Bajranth) T 1.62 243 0.158 37.9 Quercus lineata Blume (Phlant) T 0.98 147 0.135 32.4 Rhododendron arboretum Sm. (Laligurans) T 0.45 67.5 0.09 21.6 Schima wallichii Choisy (Chilaune) T 0.86 129 0.429 102.9 Symplocos theifolia (Kharane) T 0.23 34.5 0.316 75.8 Symplocos sumuntia Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don T 0.12 18 0.339 81.3 (Kholme) Tsuga dumosa (D.Don) Eichler (*ingre salla) T 0.11 16.5 0.113 27.1 Viburnum nervosum D.Don (Ashare) T 0.67 100.5 0.226 54.2 Meliosma arnottiana (Wight) Walp (Dabdabe) T 0.13 19.5 0.18 43.2 (Aankhle) T 0.11 16.5 0.135 32.4 Arundo donax (Narkat) S 1.68 252 0.813 195.1 T, tree; S, shrub. 6 International Journal of Forestry Research

Table 4: Traditional resource use pattern in the Barsey-Singalila site. Average consumption Resource Extraction process Species under use Frequency kg/ kg/hh/ hh/d yr Ribdi Bhareng Felling, lopping, and Morning 2-3 times Fuelwood 20.3 7409.5 collecting a day Felling, chopping, and Morning 2-3 times Fodder 18 6570 collecting a day Eragrostis gangetica (Bansho/Ghini), Persicaria 2-3 times in ∗Timber Felling and sawing chinensis (Ratnaulo), Persicaria chinensis (Ratnaulo), between 5 and 10 — 7.5 cm3 and Strobilanthus sp. (Ankhley) years NTFPs and Felling, chopping, umbel Morning 2-3 times medicinal picking, uprooting, and 0.4 146 a week plants collecting Litter Collecting >2-3 times a day 12 4380 Gorkhey-Samanden Felling, lopping, and Morning 2-3 times Fuelwood 20 7300 collecting a day Felling, chopping, and Morning 2-3 times Fodder 15 5475 collecting a day Eragrostis gangetica (Bansho/Ghini), Persicaria 2-3 times in Timber Felling and sawing chinensis (Ratnaulo), Persicaria chinensis (Ratnaulo), between 5–10 — 6 cm3 and Strobilanthus sp. (Ankhley) years NTFPs and Felling, chopping, umbel Morning 2-3 times medicinal picking, uprooting, and 0.5 182.5 a week plants collecting Litter Collecting >2-3 times a day 10 3650 ∗Timber is required in between 10 and 15 years for house construction.

Table 5: Annual resource production and actual demand in study villages under Barsey-Singalila range. Ribdi Bhareng Gorkhey-Samanden Resource Demand Production (ton/yr) S PE Demand (ton/cm3/yr) Production (ton/yr) S PE (ton/cm3/yr) Fuelwood 2393.27 3.23 2390.04 1434.02 445.3 0.12 445.18 267.11 Fodder 2122.11 46.51 2075.6 1245.36 333.98 3.66 330.32 198.19 Timber 2422.5 64.6 2357.9 1414.74 366 6.1 359.9 215.94 NTFPs 47.16 29.47 17.69 10.61 11.13 5.7 5.43 3.26 Litter 1414.74 2.26 1412.48 847.49 222.65 0.43 222.22 133.33 Food crops∗ 279.07 69.77 209.3 125.58 52.70 13.18 39.52 23.71 DI, dependency index from Table 1. Shortfall (S) � D − P. Possible extraction (PE) � S × DI. ∗Purchasing of food crops/items. poverty, and lack of awareness about the ecosystem services households as estimated in the midhills of eastern Nepal [8]. More than 350 million people were living inside or on (40%) [23]. *e households with low income and small the fringes of forests across the world, out of which 60 fragmented land are more dependent on the forest re- million were largely dependent for sustenance [6]. Forests in sources [24]. Type and degree of dependence varies from most developing countries are under anthropogenic pres- place to place. It is highest among the families living within sure from resource use by marginalized communities for forest areas. Such families (about 10% of the households) subsistence [7, 20, 21]. *e condition is considered more have no or very small landholdings. Others who signifi- perilous in Asia and Africa, where loss of forests during a cantly depend for their household and day to day re- ten-year period in the later part of the 20th century was quirements as well as for certain specific (such as estimated to 163 million ha, of which 154 million ha (94.5%) medicinal) uses on neighbouring forests (about 50%) in- was in the tropics alone [22]. clude not only those principally associated with agriculture Resource use data suggests that resource need is col- or allied activities but also involved with forests one way or lected from a certain distance in the forest area which will the other [25]. be far from the houses. *e dependency index of study sites Whereas, the average fuelwood consumption in the area was found much higher than the dependency rate of is comparatively higher than the fuelwood consumption International Journal of Forestry Research 7

Table 6: Preference-wise ranking of fodder species in study sites. Most preferred (local name) Preferred (local name) Least preferred (local name) Ribdi Bhareng Arundo donax L. (Narkat) Pennisetum purpureum Schumach. (Napier) Sida acuta Burm. (Balu) Lithocarpus pachyphyllus (Kurz) Rehder Eragrostis gangetica (Roxb.) Steud. (Bansho/Ghini) Litsea sp. (Timmur) (Bantey) Litsea elongata (Nees) Hook (Pahenley) Persicaria chinensis (L.) H. Gross (Ratnaulo) Rubus sp. (Berry) Sida acuta Burm. (Balu) Machilus sp. (Kawlo) Ficus elastica Roxb. (Lishey) Acer calcaratum Gagnep. (Kapshee) Arundo donax L. (Narkat) Zea mays L. (Maize residue) Meliosma arnottiana (Wight) Walp Eragrostis gangetica (Roxb.) Steud. Strobilanthus sp. (Ankhley) (Dabdabe) (Bansho/Ghini) Litsea sp. (Timmur) Quercus lineata Blume (Phlant) Evodia fraxinifolia (Hook.) Benth. (Khanakpa) Yushania maling (Gamble) R.B. Majumdar & Karthik.(Malingo) Cissus elongate Roxb. (Charcharey lahara) Amiley ghans Toona ciliata M. Roem. (Tuni) Actinidia strigosa Hook. F. & *omson ex Benth (*ekiphal) Gorkhey-Samanden Arundo donax L. (Narkat) Pennisetum purpureum Schumach. (Napier) Sida acuta Burm. (Balu) Lithocarpus pachyphyllus (Kurz) Rehder Poa sp. (Bansho/Ghini) Litsea sp. (Timmur) (Bantey) Litsea elongata (Nees) Hook (Pahenley) Persicaria chinensis (L.) H. Gross (Ratnaulo) Rubus sp. (Berry) Sida acuta Burm. (Balu) Machilus sp. (Kawlo) Ficus elastica Roxb. (Lishey) Acer calcaratum Gagnep. (Kapshee) Arundo donax L. (Narkat) Zea mays L. (Maize residue) Meliosma arnottiana (Wight) Walp. Eragrostis gangetica (Roxb.) Steud. Strobilanthus sp. (Ankhley) (Dabdabe) (Bansho/Ghini) Litsea sp. (Timmur) Quercus lineata Blume (Phlant) Evodia fraxinifolia (Hook.) Benth.

Yushania maling (Gamble) R.B. Majumdar & Cissus elongate Roxb. (Charcharey lahara) Karthik.(Malingo) (Khanakpa) Amiley ghans Toona ciliata M. Roem.(Tuni) Actinidia strigosa Hook. F. & *omson ex Benth (*ekiphal) 1, abundant; 2, common; 3, rare. amount as reported for Garhwal Himalaya [26] but lesser Resource production is far lesser than the demand as than the amount measured in Kedarnath region [27]. So, it evident from the present survey. *e area is characterized honestly proves that pressure on resources is considerably by sparse vegetation cover, low primary productivity, and high. Yearly production of the resource was also compar- short growing season and is thus highly susceptible to atively much lesser than the requirement for households of irreversible changes of natural habitats [28, 30]. A huge both the study sites, and this result can be compared with a shortfall in resource availability predicts the possible study held in Niti valley where fuelwood consumption was extraction of resources from the surrounding forests much lower than the consumption amount of other greater (namely, the khasmal forests, protected areas, and agro- Himalayan villages [28]. *e average fuelwood consumption forestry areas). And the whole can also be compared with data is also compared with data in Kumaon villages, where the total available fodder in Central Himalayan village per capita consumption amount was estimated to 3.14 kg/ [31]. day [29]. Since fuelwood collection forms the highest and the *ere is a huge gap between timber demand and most frequent use of forests followed by timber and fodder production which is required for construction of house collection for livestock [25]. Although Arundo donax shows and goths/cowshed, and such case is evident from timber high RUI, it is available at farmland. Alnus nepalensis, demand at Ribdi-Bhareng and wood production rate, Dendrocalamushamiltoni, and Castanopsis tribuloides hav- thereby, leading to huge shortfall. Considering the fact ing high RUI are available at the forest including Alnus that a very small fraction of firewood comes from the nepalensis depicting high pressure on the species. Definitely, agriculture fields, various resources demand and pro- these species having high PU show preferences in the vil- duction in the study villages are attributed to production lages. *us, a comparatively larger village with more pop- and utilization patterns. ulation will aggravate utilization pressures. 8 International Journal of Forestry Research

Table 7: NTFPs/wild edibles (1 US$ � Rs. 72 approx.). Degree of Availability People’s Market price Species (local name) Usage − use status dependency (Rs·kg 1) Fodder, NTFP, and Polygonum molle D. Don (*otnee) Low Abundant High — edible Artemisia vulgaris L. (Titeypati) NTFP and medicine High Abundant High — Zanthoxylum sp. (Eirmong) NTFP and medicine Low Abundant Low 50.0 Himalayacalamus hookerianus (Munro) Roofing, fencing, High Moderate High 50.0 Stapleton (Paraeing) and NTFP Yushania maling (Gamble) R. B. Majumdar & Roofing and NTFP Medium Rare High 80.0 Karthik.(Malingo) Astilbe rivularis Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don Medicine Low Rare Medium 30.0 (Budookhati) Diplazium sp.(Ninguro) NTFP and edible Medium Abundant High 10.0 Evodia fraxinifolia (Hook.) Benth. (Khanakpa) NTFP and remedial Low Rare High — Heracleum wallichii DC (Chimphing) NTFP and medicine Low Rare High 30.0 Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (Siltimur) NTFP and medicine Medium Abundant High 54.0 Pentapanax castanopsidicola Hayata NTFP and edible Medium Abundant Medium 30.0 (Chinday) Rhododendron arboreum Sm. (Gurans) NTFP and medicine Medium Abundant High — Rubus ellipticus Sm. (Aiselu) NTFP and edible Low Abundant Medium — NTFP, fibre, and Urtica dioica L. (Sisnu) High Abundant High 25.0 edible Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC. (Bokey NTFP, edible, and Low Rare Medium 20.0 timur) medicine Actinidia strigosa Hook. F. & *omson ex NTFP and edible Medium Rare Medium 20.0 Benth (*ekiphal) Pyrus pashia Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don (Jangali NTFP, edible, and Medium Rare Medium 20.0 Mel) medicine Agaricus sp. (Local) NTFP and edible High Rare High 150.0 Arisema sp. (Gurbo) NTFP and edible Low Rare Medium 30.0 Castanopsis indica (Roxb. ex Lindl.) A.DC. NTFP and edible Low Rare Medium 20.0 (Dhalne Katus)

*e higher price is attributed being the species grow in shortage of suitable resource management policies in one; high altitudes and in rare status [32]. Similarly, mush- similarly, delay in implementation of associated policies room considered as valuable wild edible fetch higher may also result in gradual loss of biodiversity in another. market cost. *is income can be compared with the value- *e regional initiatives taken by G. B. Pant National added products of most selected wild edibles which de- Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE) under rived maximum economic returns in Garhwal Himalaya Khangchendzonga Landscape Conservation and Devel- for Hippophae salicifolia followed by Rhododendron opment Initiative- (KLCDI-) India programme have been arboreum and Spondias pinnata and minimum for Myrica widely appreciated. KLCDI is one of such transboundary esculenta [33]. Communities of both the villages use local programme where partner countries may work together medicinal plants for treatment of health problems related taking the above approaches. to indigestion, antispasmodic, chronic fever, dysentery, and influenza, for which different parts (e.g., root, fruit, leaf, and sometimes entire plant) are used. *ese me- 5. Conclusion dicinal plants are found to be distributed within an ele- Transboundary areas are more vulnerable in terms of en- vation range between 800 and 3600 m asl in the Himalaya croachment such as tourist trekking, carrying of business [34]. Preferred species are collected regardless of their items, animal grazing, and collection of medicinal/wild availability for fuelwood and other uses, which is causing plants, as evidenced in the Barsey-Singalila transboundary high pressure on a small group of plants. Marketing of area. Sustainable use of the resource in the area is much medicinal herbs is inefficient, informal, secretive, and required so that livelihood of the local people be improved. opportunistic. As a result, the raw material supply situ- Production using local and productive fodder species should ation is shaky, unsustainable, and exploitative, which in be emphasized. Fuel, fodder, and wild edibles including turn leads to depletion of the resource base exploiting of medicinal herbal are diverse, but there may a great threat to the rural people (who are the real stewards of the re- those species of protected areas. Our results emphasized the source), adulteration, and nonavailability of quality herbal need for regular assessment of forest resources, particularly drugs for domestic consumption as well as for exports in protected areas. *e afforestation of degraded, unculti- [35, 36]. In a conclusion, local ecosystem suffers from vated, and marginal lands through high-quality fuel species International Journal of Forestry Research 9

Table 8: Medicinal herbs from the study sites. Species Elevation Availability Colour/ Consumption Habit Parts use Usage − − Source (local name) (m) time Taste (kg hh 1·yr 1) White/ Acorus calamus L. (Bonjho) 800–2500 Herb Perennial Root Bone fracture 5 CF bitter Root and Green/ Antiseptic and Artemisia vulgaris L. (Titeypati) 800–2000 Herb Perennial 400 F/RF leaves bitter asthma Astilbe rivularis Buch.-Ham. ex Green/ 1600–3300 Shrub Perennial Root Dysentery 200 RF D.Don (Budookhat) bitter Eupatorium cannabinum Green/ 800–2500 Herb Perennial Leaf Bleeding — AF/CF L. (Banmara) bitter Evodia fraxinifolia (Hook.) Green/ 1500–2500 Tree August Fruit Indigestion 500 RF Benth. (Khanakpa) bitter Heracleum wallichii DC. 1500–2500 Herb September Fruit Red/bitter Influenza 600 KF (Chimphing) Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. Farm/ 1000–2500 Herb Perennial Leaf Sour *roat pain — (Dalleypat) AF Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) Green/ 3600–4800 Herb Perennial Root Antispasmodic 100 CF/AF DC. (Jatamansi) bitter Swertia chirata Buch.-Ham. ex Whole Green/ 1600–2600 Herb July Chronic fever 1000 PF Wall (Chirawto) plant bitter Amomum subulatum Roxb. Grey/ 500–1900 Herb October Fruit Spice 500 KF/AF (Elaichi) sweet Green/ Elaeocarpus sp. (Rudraksha) 1000–1800 Tree November Fruit Stomachache 600 KF/AF sour Entada sp. 1500–2500 Tree Perennial Flower Alkaloid Indigestion 50 KF/AF Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.- Green/ 800–2500 Tree Perennial Leaf Spices 100 CF/AF Ham.) T.Nees & Eberm. (Tejpat) tasteless ysanolaena latifolia (Roxb. ex White/ 300–4800 Shrub August Root Diarrhea 1000 PF/AF Hornem.) Honda tasteless Zanthoxylum sp. (Timbur) 1600–2600 Tree November Fruit Red/hot Antispasmodic 500 RF/KF Green/ Stomach Phyllanthus emblica L. (Amla) 500–1500 Tree Perennial Fruit 600 KF/AF sour problems Rumex nepalensis Spreng. Farm/ 800–1800 Herb Perennial Root Tasteless Dysentery — (Halhale) AF Rhus succedanea L. (Arkhol) 800–2500 Tree November Fruit Grey/sour Dysentery 100 CF/AF RF, reserved forest; PF, protected forest; F, farm. in the villages might reduce pressure. Energy value of these Conflicts of Interest species also needs to be determined. *e study further suggests that providing alternate and *e authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. nonconventional energy sources such as solar cookers and fuel efficient portable ovens to the inhabitants at subsi- Acknowledgments dized rates could reduce the pressure on nearby forests. However, the local government has supported the com- *e authors are grateful to the Director, G. B. Pant National munity people through supplying LPG stoves and cyl- Institute for Himalayan Environment, for providing nec- inders at free of cost which may not be in sufficient essary support and facilities for carrying out research. Fi- quantity. Besides, judicious harvest of resources consid- nancial support and cooperation received from ering the production rate is ever appreciated. Similarly, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development government policies involving resource management can (ICIMOD) during KLCDI-India programme implementa- impact development processes. Further alternative energy tion are duly acknowledged. *e kind of support extended sources are to be generated such as the use of biobriquettes by *e Mountain Institute India is acknowledged. *e au- (matula) as fuelwood. thors are also grateful to Forest, Environment, and Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim, and Data Availability Directorate of Forests, West Bengal, for affording support during our field works. Last, the support and cooperation *e data used to support the findings of this study are extended by the Panchayat members and community people available from the corresponding author upon request. of Ribdi-Bhareng and Gorkhey-Samanden are deeply appreciated. 10 International Journal of Forestry Research

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